Cow-milking machine.



No. 655,200. Patented Aug. 7, I900.

M. M. CONDRON.

COW MILKING MACHINE.

(Application filed Apr. 3, 1000.) (No Model.) I 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

No. 655,200. Patented Aug. '7, I900.

M. M. CONDRON.

COW MlLKlNfi MACHINE.

(Application filed Apr. 3, 1900.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 (No Model.)

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' NITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE.

MARK MASON CONDRON, OF MARSHFIELID, OREGON.

COWQMILKINIG MACHINE.

sPEcIrIcA'rroN forming part of Letters Patent No. 5,200, dated August 7, 1906-.

' Application ma April meet, aristocrats. o dmoaem To all whom it mag/concern.-

Be it known that 1, MARK MASON CONDRON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Marshfield, in the county of Ooos and State of Oregon, have invented a new and useful Cow-Milking Machine, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relates to a cow-milking ap-l paratus ormachine wherein a suction or vacu' um. is established to cause the milk to be drawn from the cows teats; and the object of the improved construction is to provide a simple, cheap, and easily-operated apparatus for milking one or more cows thoroughly and rapidly without annoyance or injury to the animals; also, with a more natural and less forceful operation, and also to have means for.

automatically regulating the pressure or suction force and to utilize the prime generator of the latter by a simple adj ustment of the parts for thoroughly cleansing the apparatus by the use of water, and thereby always main;

taining the same in a pure and sweet condition and ready for immediate use. Q

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of a stanchion, showing a cow in position therein anda portion of the improved apparatus operatively applied. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the suction or vacuum creating cylinder and parts intimately connected thereto, together with operating means therefor. verse vertical section of a receiver forming a part of the improved apparatus. Fig. 4; is a sectional elevation of one of the valve connections. Fig.5 is a detail perspective view of a gravitating valve located in-the receiver,

Fig. 6 is a detail view of a clamp employed for securing the parts of the receiver. Fig. 7 is a detail view, broken away in part, showing the teat-cup cover. Figf8 is adetail view of one of the plug-valves.

Similar numerals of referenceare employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The numeral 1 designates a suction-cylinder preferably formed with laterally-projecting securing-flanges 2 for securement to a Fig. 3 is a trans-f base 3, disposed in any suitable position within a cow stable or shedor elsewhere, as may be desired. The said cylinder 1 has a front closed end 4 and a rear open extremity 5, and therein is movably mounted a'piston 6, to which A a piston-rod 7 is attached :and runs rearwardly to a blank-arm SQsecured to a shaft, 9 the latter being supplied with a driving-pulley 10, which is intendedto be en gaged by a belt from any suitable driving source.

It will be understood that the piston 6 will be equipped with a suitable packing for an obvious reason, and connected to the lower front portion 4 of the cylinder is a suctionpipe 11, having a particular form of compound plug-valve or faucet 12 seated therein adjacent the cylinder; The said plug-valve or faucet comprises the ordinary form of plug, so far as shape is concerned, and having extending therethroughin one direction an upwardly-curved way 13, and'iiia planeat right angles said valve has a straight way 14, ex tending therethrough and leading to a clackvalve 15, normally located in a recess or seat 16, so as to avoid interfering with the rotation of the plug in changing it from one positionto anotherto accommodate different operations, as will be hereinafter explained. The way 13 is upwardly curved to extend over the plane of the way 14 below the same and is without obstruction, and to operate the plug and turnit from one positionto the other a suitable handle or grip 17 is attached to the upper portion thereof. The suctionpipe 11 extendsthrough the line of stanchions or stalls, as the case may be, and at regular intervals is supplied with stop-cocks 18 to shut off portions of the apparatus and arrange for the operation of the same with one or more cows, and adjacent to said stopcock T-couphuge 19 or analogousconnections are situated in the said suction-pipe,and toeach a flexible suction-conveyer 20 is" attached and runs to an elbow 21, secured to thetopcentralportion of a receiver 22 of theform shown and provided with a surrounding horizontally-disposed central flange 23, to opposite portions of which a supporting-strap or analogous dethe said strap each receiver is supported in proper position on the cow to be milked. Each receiver also has four upstanding nipples 26, arranged concentrically on the upper part with relation to the elbow 21, and connected thereto are rubber or other flexible teat-cups 27, which are interiorly ceive the teats of a cow.

To the lower central portion of the receiver 22am outlet-elbow 28 is attached,and in the upshaped to snugly reper part thereof and the adjacent bottom porprevent the said valve from lowering or falling beyond a predetermined distance. The

7 said valve operates as a check to communi- -cat1on. between the receiver and the outflowelbow 28 while the suction or vacuum force is being exerted upon the receiver, and at the m time the milk is drawn from the teats of the cowand whenthe said suction or vacuum force is relieved and it is desired to have the milk flow out from i the receiver the said .valve is free to fall and open communication between.

the outflow elbow 28 and the receiver 22; and from said elbow themilk is conveyed by means of aflexible conduit or pipe 33, running to a general conveyer 34, disposed in a stable or shed adjacent the suction-pipe 11 and having a terminal spout or outlet attach- Inent 35, adapted to be connected to a can or other receptacle 36, as shown by Fig.1. The outflow elbow 28 is also supplied with a vent 37, which permits the ingress of air to the saidelbow and facilitates the outflow of the milk by breaking up the counteracting effect of the suction or vacuum force that may still be present to a more or less degree. The teatcups 2?, conveyer 20,.and conduit 33 are all attached to the parts of the receiver with which they connect by a ring c'lamp 38, as shown by Fig. 6, itbeing understood that the several parts are of a flexible nature, and the binding action of the said clamp will in each instance set up athoroughly air-tight con- 7 nection and also affords means of easily connecting or disconnecting said parts, The front closed end 4 of i the cylinder 1 also has aregulator connected thereto and composed of a pipe 38, having a frusto-conical seat 39 in the upper portion thereof adjacent the end 4 of the cylinder and in which an inwardlyopening similarly shaped valve 40 is mounted. and connect'ed by a link 41 to the short end or sectionof a lever 42, supported in a fulcruin 43, secured to said pipe38 and having an adjustable weight 44 thereon. It will be observed that this device is similar to the safety=valve at a steam-engine, but that its operation is d verse to the latter device, and in 4 the event that the suction or vacuu force becomes excessive or greater than is desired and whichgwillbe regulated by the adjustment of the Weight 44 thevalve 40 is drawn inwardly to openthe seat 39 and to permit the ingress of air to the cylinder 1, and thereby lessen said suction or vacuum force. In advance'of tlie'valve 40 the pipe 38 also has rotatably mounted therein a plug-valve 45,

operable-by a suitable key or other device and provided with a clack-valve 46 of any suitable design or type, and when properly adjusted so operates as to open toward the cylinder, and beyond the said valve 45 the pipe is continued any suitable distance for atupon whichwill always depend the number of cows milked. In starting the operation the regulator, heretofore described, should be gaged at about one-third of an atmosphere, more or less, and beyond the number of receivers used the stop-cocks 18 will be closed, and if the vacuum or suction force is too great and painful annoyance is apparent by the efiecton the teats of the cows the regulator automatically opens and relieves the inj urious pressure eifect of the machine under such conditions. The milk is drawn into the receivers as heretofore explained and from thence is forced into the pipe 34, and in preparing the machine for operation the piston 6 is first moved forward to the full limit of its stroke in said direction, and after every part has been applied and adjusted for the milking operation the said piston is. gradually drawn rearwardly, the suction or vacuum force set up, and the milk drawn into the receiver, the valve 12 being in the position shown in Fig. 2. -On the return forward stroke. of the .piston pressure is exerted through the flexible conveyer 20 downwardly on the milk in the receiver in each instance and said milk forced outwardly through the conduit 33 and at the sametime drawing. air inwardly through the vent. 37 Thisoperation becomes continuous until thecows are thoroughly milked, when the several receivers will be disconnected and again used in asimilar manner, or if in disuse theywill be hung up, as shown in Fig; 1. T0 protect the teat-cups and keep the same cleau,.ate atcup cover 47 is employed, which is of suchdimensions as to snugly'fit over the said teat cups and areeasily removable at anytimewhen it is desired to employ the milking apparatus in the manner just set forth. r

.Ifit is desired to cleanse the several parts of the apparatus or machine afterv milking and which is always necessary. to preserve said parts in a pure and sweet condition and prevent souring or stagnation of the deposits that may remain therein, the pipe 38fis connected to a water-supply source and the valve 45 is turned to bring the clack-valve thereof toward the cylinder 1, and the valve 12 is turned to the position shown by Fig. 4 and so IIO that the clack-valve 15 thereof will open outwardly or away from the direction of the cylinder. The piston is then drawn backwardly in the cylinder 1, which will cause an inflow of water through the pipe 38 5 but owing to the position of the valve 15 and the operation thereof just stated no exhausting efiect will be produced in the apparatus to which the pipe 11 is connected, and on the-return stroke or forward movement of the piston 6 the clack-valve 46 in the plug-valve 45 will be forced to close and the similar valve 15 in the plug 12 opened and the Water forced through the entire apparatus and out to the pipe 34 and from thence take the same course as the milk and find an outlet through the spout 35. Successive charges of water thrown through the apparatus in the manner set forth will result in great benefit, as will be readily understood, and in forming the several parts of the apparatus care will be taken to utilize such metals or other materials as will withstand corrosion. It is also proposed to use a suitable motive power for the piston and to make such other changes in the form, size,

proportions, and minor details as fully fall within the scopeof the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In a milking apparatus operated by suction, the combination of air-exhausting devices, a suction-conveyer connected to said devices, one or more milk-receivers connected to said suction-conveyer and having gravitatingvalves operating in the lower portions thereof, outflow-conduits connected to the milk-receivers and having air-vents, and a common outflow-pipe for said conduits.

2. In a milking apparatus, the combination of airexhaustingdevices having an auto= matic regulator, one or more milk-receivers having teat-cups, an exhaust-conveyer from said exhaust devices, an outflow-pipe common to all the receivers, and flexible conveyers between each receiver and the exhaust-conveyer and outflow-pipe, the flexible conveyer between the receiver and outflow-pipe having an air-vent and a gravitating valve adjacent the receiver.

3. In a milking apparatus, the combination valve operating in relation to its outflow connection and the latter also provided with an air-vent.

4. A washing mechanism for a milking ap,

paratus and permanently forming a part of the latter, comprising a cylinder having an open rear end and a front closed end, a piston movably mounted in said cylinder, a pipe attached to the closed end of the cylinder supplied with a rotatable valve having a way therethrough covered at one end by a clackvalve opening outward from the rotatable valve, the said pipe being connectible to a water-supply, an exhaust-conveyer also attached to'the closed end of the cylinder and having a valve therein provided with ways therethrough in planes at right angles to each other, one of the ways having a clack-valve at one extremity opening outward from said valve, the said exhaust-conveyor being continuous at a distance from the exhausting devices and connected to milking apparatus.

5. A milking apparatus comprising a milk receiver having upper and lower connections and upstanding teat-cups, the lower connection adjacent the central bottom portion of the receiver having a gravitating valve therein with a stem provided with upper divergent arms and also supplied with an air-vent, and air exhaustiug devices.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

MARK MASON OONDRON.

Witnesses:

VIVIAN LANFORD, M. A. SUNDRITH. 

